Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

In a tight race for the top spot in the 2019 AIN Product Support Survey, Dassault jumped ahead by a slim margin of 0.1 to score this year’s highest Combined Overall Average of Newer and Older Aircraft of 8.4, based on results of AIN’s survey of business jet operators, pilots, and maintainers.

 


The 8.4 Overall Average rating for Dassault vaults the company to first place in 2019, up from last year’s second place, moving Gulfstream’s mid-cabin jets to second place with an 8.3 overall average. Embraer and Gulfstream’s large-cabin jets share third place with an 8.2, leaving a tight margin between the top-place finishers this year.

 


For this year’s survey, there were 720 respondents who rated 2,220 aircraft, broken down into 151 models. The minimum number of respondents required to include an aircraft in the results is 20.&nbsp;

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

AIN Product Support Survey Part I: Aircraft

Dassault Falcon takes the top spot for jets, while Mitsubishi maintains that position among t-props.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Sarah Rose

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Company aims to show its utility in Europe

NHIndustries Highlights NH90 Advancements

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Ahead of the show opening, we discuss what's relevant to attendees.

Technology and Geopolitics Lead the Paris Air Show Agenda

David Donald

At the end of last year China revealed that it had not one, but two, advanced new warplane prototypes in flight test

China’s Fighter Surprise Challenges Western Defense Programs

Headlines from the Paris Air Show

Paris News Briefs:  June 15, 2025

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Beta's Alia CX300 aircraft is expected to turn heads with its flying display

Electric Aircraft Vie for Attention at Paris Air Show

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

In late May, Hungarian pilots completed training with Aero Vodochody

Hungary’s Air Force Set To Receive L-39 Skyfox Trainers

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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Technology and Geopolitics Lead the Paris Air Show Agenda

Ahead of the show opening, we discuss what's relevant to attendees.

China’s Fighter Surprise Challenges Western Defense Programs

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Headlines from the Paris Air Show

Electric Aircraft Vie for Attention at Paris Air Show

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Hungary’s Air Force Set To Receive L-39 Skyfox Trainers

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American States Seek Foreign Aerospace Investment

State representatives at Paris Air Show play down concern over Trump tariffs

Improved Multirole Poseidon Aircraft Prepares for Service

The Increment 3 Block 2 upgrade for the P-8 greatly enhances its ASW, ASuW and ISR capabilities

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